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LHASA - MOUNT EVEREST BASE CAMP - KATHMANDU OVERLAND TOUR
(10 days)
An opportunity to visit the base camp of Everest [5200m] with an experience across the Tibetan Plateau.
True to its nickname, “the Roof of the world”, Tibet is the highest plateau in the world with an average altitude in excess of 3500 meters. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan range which separates it from its neighbors, India, Nepal and Bhutan, Tibet is more or less an untamed land of nomads (drokpas), monasteries, yaks, sand dunes, and high altitude desert that goes as far as the eyes can take it.
On this Tibet overland tour you have three days (i.e. 4 nights) in Lhasa to acclimatize and to absorb the exoticism of Tibetan heritage and to explore this history-laden city to its core. You will be expertly guided around the most significant and ancient Gompas (monasteries) of Lhasa, Gyantse & Shigatse by your Tibetan guide, who will instruct you on the intricacies and mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. With its spectacular mountain scenery and rich Buddhist culture, Tibet would certainly be a unique mystical destination to visit.
You drive down Friendship highway by a luxury Toyota land cruiser 4 WD passing through small Tibetan settlements where you get upfront views right from your vehicle of nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains amidst a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain peaks.
A special highlight of this trip is the visit to the Everest Base Camp where you will be rewarded with panoramic and breath-taking views of Mount Everest from the north side. This overland tour will be a mystical delight that will be remembered by the fireside for many winters to come.
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» TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 10 Days
Grade: Overland tour
Starts in: Lhasa
Ends in: Kathmandu
Group size: Maximum 12
Accommodation: Hotel & Lodge
Transportation: 4WD Land cruiser with support truck
Maximum altitude: 5220m |
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TESTIMONIALS
TIBET OVERLAND TOUR
"The airport and hotel transfers were excellent, as was our itinerary. The our guide in Tibet was excellent in the monasteries and towns. The driver and the condition of the vehicle was excellent."
Name: Vinni Smed
Country: Denmark
Area: Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour
Date: October, 2010
TIBET TOUR
"Your company provides a high degree of expertise and service. Your staff are very reliable and service-minded and your Tibetan agent match your level well. We will recommend your company and your Tibetan agent to friends and business associates!"
Name: Dr. J.P.Ulhoei
Country: Denmark
Area: Tibet - Rongbuk Tour
Date: April, 2010
TIBET OVERLAND TOUR
"Great trip - fantastic sights in Tibet!"
Name: Helene Kornerup
Country: Denmark
Area: Lhasa - Kathmandu Overland Trip
Date: October, 2009
"The guide and drivers were very attentive and looked after us very well."
Name: Pamela Cooper
Country: Spain
Area: Tibet Overland Tour
Date: October, 2009
"Our tour guides and drivers in Lhasa and the rest of Tibet did an excellent job. They were friendly, knowledgeable, good humored and we had a feeling that they did their best to make it a very good trip!"
Name: Anders Jensen and Cathrine Bak
Country: Copenhagen, Denmark
Area: Tibet Overland Tour
Date: July, 2009
"The airport and hotel transfer was excellent. The service at the hotel was good.The tour guide was ok. While the driver and the vehicle were excellent.
We found operation officer Yalamber very helpful, professional, informative and very sympathetic."
Name: Helle Ammitzboll & Hanne Kristiansen
Country: Denmark
Area: Tibet-Rongbuk Tour
Excellent Pickup, no waiting. KP was very professional. Maya was very nice and knowledgeable. She was definitely professional and helped me with anything. Porter was also fantastic. Tour Guide was very personable. Overall, excellent service. Highlight was eating at "local" Tibetan restaurants!
Very impressed with the service of Explore Himalaya. Would recommend friend and associates.
Name: Steve G.
Country: USA
Destination: Everest Base Camp Trek & Lhasa Tour
Date: November 2008
" Excellent guides. Only had trouble with customer service at a hotel the 2nd night in Tingri. Tibet guide (Kelsang) is excellent and solved problems quickly. Drivers were very excellent. Very smooth crossing border from Tibet to Nepal. Very excellet! The best tour!
Name: Hester Lo
Country: Canada
Area: Tibet Overland Tour
August 2007
"Excellent tour. Kalsang and drivers were great! Prachanda was very helpfull in Nepal so was Tagar! You have a great crew in Tibet."
Name: Craig Kassover
Country: USA
Area: Tibet Overland Tour
August 2007
“Overall a very good tour. Excellent itinerary. Guide, drivers and staffs were very good. Vehicle was in excellent condition”.
Name: Marco Gnecchi
Country: Italy
Area: Tibet Overland Tour (11 Days)
Duration: 21 June-05 July 2007
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» HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike or horse cart ride (your choice) to Mt. Everest north base camp from Rongbuk monastery
- 4 nights in Lhasa, staying near the city's main attractions - the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple & 1 free day for self exploration in Lhasa.
- Adventurous drive by best 4WD land cruiser across the ‘roof of the world’ with English speaking best local Tibetan guide.
- Inspiring landscapes, superb mountain views, rich Buddhist history & culture & Tibetan Nomads.
- Hotels / lodges with Tibetan character wherever possible.
- Complete hassle free Chinese (Tibet) travel documentation.
- Spectacular flight to Lhasa passing right over Mount Everest and many of the highest peaks in the world (if you join the trip in Kathmandu
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» OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01 Arrive Lhasa
Day 02 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 03 Sightseeing in Lhasa
Day 04 Lhasa Free Day
Day 05 Drive to Gyantse
Day 06 Sightseeing in Gyantse & drive to Shigatse
Day 07 Sightseeing & drive to Shegar
Day 08 Drive to Rongbuk; explore Everest Base camp
Day 09 Drive to Zhangmu
Day 10 Drive Kathmandu |
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Fixed Departures 2012
20 Mar-29 Mar // 27 Mar-05 Apr // 10 Apr -19Apr //
21 Apr - 30 Apr // 12 May- 21 May // 17 May-26 May //
29 May-7Jun // 05 Jun-14 Jun
// 16 Jun-25 Jun //
07 Jul-16 Jul // 14 Jul-23 Jul // 11 Aug-20Aug //
18 Aug-27 Aug // 28 Aug-06 Sept // 06 Sept-15Sept //
11 Sept-20 Sept // 18 Sept-27 Sept // 29 Sept-08 Oct //
13 Oct-22 Oct // 20 Oct-29Oct // 27 Oct-05 Nov // 01 Nov-10 Nov //
PRICE
USD 1640 per person on twin sharing, - min 3 persons to run the trip
Single room supplement: US$ 250,
Hotel/Lodge, Local leader
EXTRA:
Flight: rates and taxes are subject to change without prior notice Kathmandu - Lhasa airfare: USD 395 (Tue & Sat in high seasons)
* Train to Lhasa from Beijing USD 275 on soft sleeper bed (subject to availability)
For more information about the visa, please have a look at our Tibet Visa Page
PRICE INCLUDES:
• Hotel Kailash in Lhasa (3 star) & best available en route with breakfast,
• Transportation by 4WD land cruiser
• Sightseeing tours with English speaking local TIBETAN guide,
• All entry fees,
• Tibet travel permit,
• Airport transfers & supply of bottled oxygen in car.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
• Lunch & dinner (Approx 7-10 USD per meal),
• Any airfare (can book, quoted separately above),
• Chinese Visa (see above), hotels other then in Tibet (can book), airport tax,
• Personal clothing & equipments,
• Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due any reason,
• Your insurance.
FLIGHT / TRAIN FARE
Flight: rates and taxes are subject to change without prior notice
Kathmandu - Lhasa: USD 439 (Tue & Sat in high seasons)
Chengdu - Lhasa: USD 250
Beijing - Lhasa: USD 490
Shanghai - Lhasa: USD 512
Kathmandu - Beijing: 790
* Train to Lhasa from Beijing USD 295 on soft sleeper bed (subject to availability, please read conditions/other available options)
* Tibet (Chinese) visa: USD 114 for all nationality (For those having American passport, additional USD 85 would be applicable as levied by Chinese Govt.)
If you are traveling in Nepal before going to Tibet, you MUST apply for your Chinese visa in Kathmandu. We can get it within two working days with your original passport.
Note:
If you wish to join in Kathmandu you have to arrive 2 days prior to trip departure dates. Those who wish to join in Lhasa, can arrive Lhasa on the date mentioned above or earlier. |
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» DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrive Lhasa (3660m)
You will be met at Gonggar Airport by your Tibetan guide. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa (3650 meters). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the old city. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and take it easy. Drink plenty of fluids and let your body get used to Lhasa’s high altitude.
Note: There is no fixed program arranged for today.
Day 2 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After breakfast, you will be briefed on the day’s program. An experienced guide will take you on a tour to Sera Monastery, Norbulingka and the Barkhor Square. At the famous Sera Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. You pay a visit to Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Completed in 1956, the handsome building is ornately decorated with Tibetan carvings and paintings. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. You will also get the chance to stroll around the busy Barkhor Square, the nerve centre of Lhasa. After the day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.
Day 3 Sightseeing in Lhasa
After an early breakfast, you will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues.
You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautifully landscaped Drepung Monastery where you can observe nuns and monks chanting and performing religious discourses. After the day’s tour is over, you are escorted back to your hotel for a well- earned rest.
Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide.
Day 4 In Lhasa
This day is for you to spend it as you wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit a favorite monastery, go for souvenir hunting in the busy local market at Barkhor Square, or simply sit in a café and watch pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang.
There is also the option of an additional tour to places such as the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. But this additional tour will incur an extra cost.
Day 5 Drive to Gyantse (3950m) 261 km
Moving along the Friendship Highway, you drive past Khamba La, at 4794 meter, with a brief halt to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and Nazin Kang Sa, standing at 7252m. On turning westwards, you come across another pass, Karo La at 5045m. If you look at the road, you can see huge glaciers tumbling down. After driving 261 km, beautifully landscaped Tibetan villages become visible as you enter the town of Gyantse.
Day 6 Sightseeing in Gyantse & drive to Shigatse (3900m) 90km
Gyantse prides on Gyantse Dzong and Kumbum. Gyantse Dzong, a 14th century historical fort, overlooks the entire Gyantse and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. Kumbum has a large gold-domed stupa and houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. After exploring Gyantse, you take a 90 km drive and arrive at Shigatse,(3900m) the second largest Tibetan city. Tashilhunpo Monastery, being one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet is the major attraction of Shigatse.
Day 7 Sightseeing & drive to Shegar (4050m) 244km.
Today you will traverse along the Friendship Highway amidst picturesque landscape driving past small town of Lhatse and Gyamtso La pass at 5220m. As the route opens into plains, many monasteries and camps of nomadic herders become visible en route to Shegar. At Shegar, you will be accommodated at ‘Everest Resort’.
Day 8 Drive to Rongbuk (5000m) 68km - Explore Everest base camp
Away from Shegar, you will drive to the south crossing Pang La pass at 5150m. Along the drive you can bask in the splendor of majestic views of snow-capped peaks from Makalu to Shishapangma. After driving for 68 km, you eventually reach Rongbuk at 5000m. You can then view spectacular sight of Mount Everest. You have the opportunity to explore Everest Base Camp (5150m.) The base camp itself is dry and barren, but the views of Everest more than compensates for it. It truly is an awe-inspiring place with the sheer north face of the highest mountain in the world towering above you.
Overnight accommodation at a guest house.
Day 9 Drive to Zhangmu (2300m) 181km
You will drive past Tingri crossing Lalung La pass at 5124m and Shug La pass at 5200m. Savoring the enchanting views of the surrounding peaks of Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Menlungtse and Gauri Shankar, you descend from the arid Tibetan Plateau to verdant Zhangmu on the Nepalese border. After driving for 181 km, you find yourself amidst the lush and verdant vegetation of Zhangmu at 2300 meter.
Day 10 Drive to Kathmandu (1400m) 123km
A few kilometers drive away from Zhangmu to Friendship Bridge across Bhote Koshi river brings you to the Immigration Control in Kodari. Here, you will part with your Tibetan guide and driver, and walk across the river to meet your Nepalese escort who will drive you to Kathmandu. After driving 5 hours for 123 km, you finally arrive in Kathmandu. |
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